Russia to revamp air defense with S-400, Pantsir-S systems

All air defense regiments in the Russian Armed Forces will be equipped with advanced S-400 Triumf and Pantsir-S missile systems by 2020, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on Monday.

« We are planning to revamp our air defense network. All air defense regiments will receive new S-400 Triumf and Pantsir-S systems, » Putin told defense industry officials commenting on the state arms procurement program until 2020.

The S-400 system has a maximum range of up to 400 km at an altitude of 40,000-50,000 meters. The system uses a range of missiles, optimized for engaging ballistic and cruise missiles.

Pantsir-S is a short-to-medium range combined surface-to-air missile and antiaircraft artillery system designed to protect point and area targets.

It carries up to 12 two-stage solid-fuel surface-to-air missiles in sealed ready-to-launch containers and has two dual 30 mm automatic cannons that can engage targets at a range of up to 4 km.